Dr. Martha Whyte from the Louisiana Office of Public Health talks about the COVIC 19 vaccine, when the first batches will arrive and when it will be available to the general public.

Three vaccines, from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration. That governmental okay is expected to come on December 10.

"It's going to come in waves," says Dr. Whyte, talking about the arrival of the vaccine to Louisiana, "And the first round we get will primarily to healthcare workers...those that are working directly with COVID 19 patients. Then EMS providers  As we get more of the vaccine into the state, priority groups are being developed."

"Everything is moving very quickly," Whyte continues, explaining the priorities for vaccine distribution, "There are lots of questions...and back and forth with the federal government. They have their ideas of what the priority groups should be. The state has its ideas of what the priority groups should be. Our plan was well received at the federal level, so we have an idea of how we plan to do it, but there may be little tweaks here and there."

Dr. Whyte then explains how and where the two-dose COVID vaccine will be distributed. "As we move more and more to availability to the general public, it's going to be provided by (medical) providers who want to offer it. Health units will be vaccine providers. There are pharmacies that have already agreed. There will be many options and places to get it."

 

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